2026 Articles

On March 31, 2026, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that sufficient evidence of a defendant’s control over a vehicle can support a finding of constructive possession of a firearm, but that multiple convictions based on the same physical act violate the one-act, one-crime rule.

The Department of Revenue adopted an amendment to the Part titled Real Estate Transfer Tax Law, allowing for the use of electronic signatures on electronically transmitted transfer declarations.

The Department of Insurance adopted an emergency amendment to the Construction and Filing of Accident and Health Insurance Policy Forms Part to implement Executive Order 2025-4. The amendment changes the trigger for mandatory vaccine coverage.

On Oct. 8, 2025, the Third District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that the Workers’ Compensation Act’s exclusive-remedy provision barred an employee’s negligence and intentional-misconduct claims against his employer after a coworker struck him in the head with a shovel during a psychotic episode.

On Feb. 26, 2026, the Fifth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a claimant is not entitled to benefits under both sections 8(e) and 8(d)(2) of the Workers’ Compensation Act for the same injury, and thus an employer is entitled to credit for payments made under section 8(e) following an award of benefits under section 8(d)(2).

The Illinois Department of Employment Security adopted an amendment to the Part titled Wages, changing how employer 401(k) matching contributions are treated for unemployment-insurance wage reporting. Employer

The General Assembly enacted the Commission on Youth Sports Act, establishing the Commission on Youth Sports. The commission will gather and evaluate community feedback and make recommendations to the governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Human Services concerning youth in sports. 

On Nov. 25, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held it lacked jurisdiction to review an eviction judgment because the defendant filed her notice of appeal three days late. The First District also held that it lacked jurisdiction to review orders denying the defendant’s first and second motions for reconsideration and postjudgment “motion to clarify,” but it affirmed the denial of her motion for a rule to show cause.

On Dec. 16, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that, absent proof of an arrest, there is insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction for resisting arrest.

On May 19, 2026, the Fourth District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that excluding certified breath-test evidence was an abuse of discretion where the state produced the relevant accuracy-check records before trial and the defendant failed to show prejudice from any potential delay.

On Oct. 2, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court held that the exclusion of a defendant’s mother did not violate his right to a public trial.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act to expand grant assistance for projects located in distressed communities and distressed locations.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act to define and regulate cycle rider safety training course providers. The Act limits eligible providers to community colleges, state universities, government agencies, and qualified nonprofit or for-profit entities, while expressly excluding motorcycle dealers and businesses that sell motorcycles. 

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Illinois Vehicle Code, strengthening traffic safety protections near parks and schools. The amendment broadens the definition of a “park zone street” by removing the phrase “under the control of a local unit of government,” leaving the definition to encompass any portion of a street or intersection adjacent to a park zone.

The General Assembly amended the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to protect abortion medications if the federal government restricts approval of those drugs.

On May 21, 2026, the Illinois Supreme Court held that a constitutional challenge to the suspension of a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card was moot where the plaintiff’s FOID card had already been reinstated, and no mootness exception applied.

On Dec. 26, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed dismissal of a patient’s tort and contract claims tied to a frozen-embryo dispute, holding that an in vitro fertilization consent form did not guarantee the clinic would prevent later custody litigation or avoid delay.